Bambi
Performance & Direction: Bambi Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Bambi (1942) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and Bambi features a noteworthy lineup led by Donnie Dunagan . Supported by the likes of Peter Behn and Stan Alexander , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Bambi
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1942, Bambi is a Animation, Drama, Family film directed by David Hand. The narrative combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Donnie Dunagan.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Bambi's tale unfolds from season to season as the young prince of the forest learns about life, love, and friends. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Donnie Dunagan's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: Bambi
Ending Breakdown: Directed by David Hand, Bambi resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to animation resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Donnie Dunagan, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Bambi reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Bambi?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Donnie Dunagan or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Bambi
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $858.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $267.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Bambi Budget
The estimated production budget for Bambi is $858.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Bambi
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Where to Watch Bambi Online?
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JioHotstarBambi Parents Guide & Age Rating
1942 AdvisoryWondering about Bambi age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Bambi is 69 minutes (1h 9m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Bambi is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1942 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bambi worth watching?
Bambi is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Bambi parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Bambi identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Bambi?
The total duration of Bambi is 69 minutes, which is approximately 1h 9m long.
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Critic Reviews for Bambi
The scenery in _Bambi_ is honestly so beautiful. If you were to compare it to the animation I grew up with in the 90s, or even the animation of today, it doesn't just hold up, Bambi's nature scenes actually **outclass** them. Positively gorgeous. But in that spirit of honesty, _Bambi_ is a really boring movie. I think the one and only time I've seen it before I was around 5 or so, that'd be more than two decades ago. Revisiting it again after all these years actually made me appreciate the movie **less**. _Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Looking back at this film as it was filmed in 1942 by nine freaking directors man... one supervising director David Hand and the rest sequence directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Norman Wright, Arthur Davis and Clyde Geronimi. One thing I’d never known before that I learned is that Bambi the film was based on an actual book from 1923 called Bambi, A Life In The Woods written by Austrian author/hunter Felix Salton. Always thought it was straight creation of Disney’s but it’s not, weird. Bambi is a film not just about a young deer and his life in the forest it’s really about the survival of nature against the ever deadly animal known as man killing off animal species and there are some scenes that are really drastic for a supposedly family film but I’ll get to that. At the beginning of the film we meet our very first cast of characters as there’s pink nosed Thumper and A bashful skunk named Flower, friend Owl and the wakening of the forest animals as a new fawn was born to an unnamed Doe whom as we learn is the Son of the Prince of The Forest. The best thing about this animation is the attention to detail of other wild life besides the birth of Bambi, his beginning stammering and early bonding moments with Flower and Thumper. I enjoy Bambi’s moment of falling on the ice it’s cute. Shows that he was still not quite used to his young body enough to be sure of himself. I find the part where we meet his father very regal The Prince has a very stoic prescient and it’s here Bambi gets his first glimpse of the things astute deer do which apparently is rushing at other bucks with antlers with playful bashing of horns. We also get a playful moment with Bambi meeting young Faline a female doe the first female of Bambi’s species as we can see more awkwardness. As an adult I found her teasing a little annoying but as a child I remember the moment fondly as his first meeting a girl moment. Reminds me of The Lion King later with Nala a little bit. Winter comes and at the first sign of the new green grass his mother is alerted of danger and tells Bambi to run for the thicket and never look back... we hear a shot run out and Bambi calling for his mother is a tear jerker... when he runs into his father and he tells him so solemn that his mother won’t be with him ever again this almost ruined the film for me it was a sad, dark moment. There is another moment I enjoy in this film where friend Owl explains to the now grown Bambi, Thumper and Flower about the betwixings of love... just love this part it’s so eerily comical... I’d forgotten that Bambi also ends up getting shot himself but I do remember the fire that man caused and watching how many animals had to move their homes... not to mention the pidgin that got frantic and nervous flew up in the air and got shot in the whole process. In a sense this had the same pivotal message as Lion King as there is a birth/relationship/ rebirth and continuing line of royalty among creatures in the forest. I think this film hold up and find it very beutiful. A decent family film to still watch and enjoy. Thoroughly recommend. Have it four stars as Bambi’s mothers death still bothers me did it have to be so cruel?
"Bambi" is born into an idyllic forest life - his father is the bull stag; his mother an adoring hind and he quickly befriends all the other animals in his gloriously technicolour world. He learns to walk, to talk, even to ice-skate with the help of his bunny pal "Thumper" and he encounters the joys and perils of the seasons from sunny summers to freezing winters too. All is perfect until human beings take an hand - then, alongside his father and his friends, he must face the more brutal realities of life. The animation is gorgeous - simplistic, perhaps, by 2020 standards - but the artistic craftsmanship of the drawings and the score more than adequately compensate for that. There is a minimum of dialogue - the images tell the story, and they do it superbly.
Good for Children and sad too. I personally don't like the movie. I think it's boring and always makes me fal asleep.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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